Mrs. Josie L. O'Hara Hamby- Brown

Obituary Mrs. Josie Luvene O’Hara Hamby-Brown was born April 17, 1946 and departed this life on September 8, 2021 in the home. She was raised in Newell, Alabama in a loving family. Her parents were Walter and Bessie O’Hara. She was the 6th of 9 children born to their union. She was preceded in death by both of her parents, one brother Lindsey O’Hara, two sisters Bessie Mae O’Hara and Linnie Ann Foster, and her great-grandson, Kaiden Lesmeister. Josie graduated from Wedowee High School in Wedowee, Alabama 1964, and relocated to Kansas City that same year. She attended the House of Heavilin Beauty College in Kansas City, and received a cosmetology license. She was a cosmetologist for more than 30 years and she owned and operated a beauty salon in her home. Josie had many jobs. She worked as an assembly line/production worker for Bendix Ammunition Plant in the 1970’s, later Wilcox Industries and finally General Motors where she would retire the first time. Josie later attended Longview Community College and received an Associate of Arts degree in Education. She used that degree to obtain employment as a special education teacher in the Center School District where she worked for over 15 years. Josie’s first marriage in 1965 to the late Richard Hamby ended in divorce and the couple shared three children, Patricia, Richard Jr. and Darryl. She later married James C. Brown in 1990 and their blended family included her stepdaughter, Kristi Odums. Josie enjoyed many hobbies including ceramics, cake decorating, volunteering and giving to others. She was a faithful member of Friendship Baptist Church for many years. She was active in the Zebulun Sheepfold, Deaconess, Sunday School class #5, WMU, Eulee Guice/Sarah Circle and Wonderful Wednesday Bible Study. Mrs. Josie Luvene O’Hara Hamby-Brown leaves to cherish her memory her husband James C. Brown, children: Patricia Hamby, Rachelle Hamby, Kristi (Will) Odums, Richard Hamby, Jr. and Darryl (Tamara) Hamby James; siblings: Bobby O’Hara, LaVoyne Newell, Bernice Jimmons, Mary Buchanan, Norman O’Hara, Artis O’Hara; grandchildren: Dale Shelby Jr. Simone Lesmeister, Briea Shelby, Myia Shelby, Mariah Parrot, Darryl James, Jr., Sean James, Shaunya James, Shaunyce James, Je’Ree Hamby, Richard Hamby, III and a host of other great-grandchildren, relatives and friends. Funeral Service will be held Friday, September 17, 2021, 11:00am at Friendship Baptist Church. Interment Monday, September 20th, 11:00am Leavenworth National Cemetery, LVNKS. Visitation will be from 10:00am-11:00am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mrs. Josie L. O'Hara Hamby- Brown, please visit our floral store. Read More

Mrs. Josie L. O'Hara Hamby- Brown

April 17, 1946 - September 8, 2021